Coquitlam Spirit Square Farmers Market 2012

The Spirit Square Farmers Market in Coquitlam is Open!

On June 15^th, 2012, vendors set up booths at Spirit Square across from the Coquitlam City Hall for the season opener of the Coquitlam Spirit Square Farmers Market. Vendors were still setting up as people had already gathered to take part in this weekly summer event. The temperate weather and lack of rain must have helped draw in the early birds.

Season Opener Celebrations

There was entertainment, music and tons of activities for the kids. A group of volunteers provided games and crafts for the kids like Rocket Ring Toss and Paint Your Own Pet Rock, where the kids painted a rock, named it and then received a Certificate of Birth with the pet rock’s name on it. A magician, bands, steel-drum performer, face painter…there was definitely something for all ages to enjoy.

Free Cupcakes! And What’s a “Mookie”?

Did I mention there were free cupcakes? Chickadee Family Bakery is a new Coquitlam-based business that started April 2012 and they were kind enough to provide free mini cupcakes for the event. The owners, Ken & Rebecca Kavanagh told me that one of their most popular treats are their Mookies, a cross between a muffin and a cookie.

A Growing Farmers Market

This is only the Spirit Square market’s second season so it is still growing. Held every Friday evening from 3:00 to 7:00pm this summer, it will hopefully draw more vendors and visitors as the season rolls along. It is definitely a beautiful and convenient location. Bonita Rae from Bonita Rae Intuitive Readings was a vendor at last year’s market, and is back again. She explained that the market had a slow start last year but with each Friday that passed, people became more accustomed to the market being there and it ended up being a very busy season for her.

What’s at the Farmers Market?

Do you want to try Granny Smith apples that are freshly peeled every morning and then baked into an German Apple Struedel? Then, check out Gesundheit Bakery. Or do you need to buy a gift for someone this summer? There are loose leaf teas, designer cookies, bath and beauty products, jewellery and more. And what would a farmers market be without produce? Grab some seasonal fruits and vegetables at this Friday’s market for some good home cooking this weekend.

What’s in Season?

Here’s what you’ll find at the Spirit Square market over the next month:

VEGETABLES – beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chinese vegetables, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, green onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, radish, salad greens, spinach, summer squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips

FRUIT – apricots, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries

HERBS – basil, chives, cilantro, dill, lavender, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme

Support Your Community

I love to visit local markets no matter what city or country I am in. They provide a sense of community and reflect who the community is and what they have to offer.

Check out Coquitlam’s Spirit Square Farmers Market every Friday evening this summer until September 14^th, 2012. For information visit the Coquitlam Farmers Market website at www.makebakegrow.com.